Tibetan Headlines
Nov 4: Cosmology Conference
Tibetan Buddhist scholars, scientists and students from around the world have gathered at Tibetan Children’s Village in Dharamshala for a three-day meeting “Cosmology and Consciousness III- Harmony and Happiness" organised by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. Chief guest Ngodup Tsering, Minister of Education, said he hopes to see more of Tibetan science scholars in such conferences in the future.
Nov 3: Sikyong in Sikkim
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, is in the north-eastern Indian state of Sikkim for a five-day visit to Tibetan settlements there, where he is meeting the local Tibetans and visiting the various Tibetan institutes. Sikyong has visited all Tibetan settlements in India and most of the major Tibetan communities in Europe and north America since he came to office in 2011.
Nov 1: Railway Threat
China has approved construction of a strategically important railway line in Tibet that will reach Nyingchi which is very close to the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh. This announcement comes alongside India's plans to improve the road network along the border regions of Arunachal, which China claims as Southern Tibet. China says their railway expansion in Tibet will connect Nepal, Bhutan and India by 2020.
Oct 31: Nepal Cracks Down
Nepal, traditionally the route by which Tibetans have left Tibet, is to deny documents to Tibetan refugees arriving in the country. The Nepal government has vowed to strengthen its friendly ties with China, who is a major donor to Nepal, and has agreed to check "anti-China activities" as well as crack down on political protests by Tibetans. Tibetans refugees in Nepal are now at risk of harrassment, arrest and repatriation.
Oct 31: International Films
The 3rd Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) has opened and this year will screen 27 films from various countries, including the highly acclaimed “City lights” by national award-winning Indian director Hansal Mehta. DIFF aims to bring independent films to the mountains to promote and encourage local film-makers, and to create a non-partisan cultural platform to engage and involve all local communities.
Oct 30: Confucius Out
The Toronto District School Board has voted to terminate its deal with the Chinese Government funded Confucius Institutes. This follows a series of protests by Tibetans in Toronto. Hundreds of Tibetan protesters organised by Students for a Free Tibet gathered outside the TDSB’s headquarters while voting took place. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service says Confusius Institutes are part of China’s efforts to extend its “soft power” abroad.
Oct 28: Ordered Home
Residents of Jomda county in the Chamdo prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region have been ordered to recall home any family members who are monks or nuns enrolled at Buddhist centers in western Chinese provinces. They have threatened families failing to comply with punishment, including withdrawal of all forms of government aid. Opportunties to study near Jomda are extremely limited.
Oct 27: Tibet Charity Celebrates
Tibet Charity (India) has celebrated its 10th anniversary. Chief guest at the ceremony, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, commended the charity for all its hard work. The charity, which works in close collaboration with the Central Tibetan Administration, is well known for its services for the most marginalised sectors of the Tibetan community: the elderly and the sick, it also provides shelter to homeless and injured dogs and cats.
Oct 26: A Journalist in Tibet
A journalist with the Irish TV news channel RTÉ, has visited Tibet and conducted a series of interviews, some of which describe benefits under Chinese rule, some are seen abruptly cut short by a Chinese-speaking escort. Mr Bromwell reported seeing tight security, describing the visit as "carefully choreographed" and acknowledging that a true picture of Tibetan life is still "out of reach".
Oct 25: Films Galore!
The 6th Tibet Film Festival, held simultaneously in Zurich and Dharamsala, opened in McLeod Ganj at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. The special guest was Golog Jigme who assisted Dhondup Wangchen, to whom the festival is dedicated, in filming "Leaving Fear Behind". The 10th Free Spirit Film festival, (or McLeod Ganj Film Festival) also opened in McLeod Ganj at Tibetan Childrens Village Day School.
Oct 25: Monk Sentenced
Tsangyang Gyamtso, the chant master of Drilda Monastery and one of four monks arrested in March in Sog County in the Nagchu Prefecture, hass now reportedly been sentenced to 12 years in prison. He is charged with contacting overseas Tibetans and influencing other monks to engage in anti-China activities. The current whereabouts and condition of the four monks are not known.
Oct 24: Dhondup Wangchen Awarded
Dhondup Wangchen, the Tibetan film-maker who served six years in prison for his documentary "Leaving Fear Behind" has been awarded the 2014 Václav Havel International Prize with Creative Dissent. The prize - which celebrates those who, with bravery and ingenuity, unmask the lie of dictatorship by living in truth - is awarded by the Oslo Freedom Forum, a gathering that honours survivors of political oppression and persecution.
Oct 24: Mining Banned
Chinese authorities have banned mining operations Dzatoe county in Yulshul, in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in an environmentally sensitive area where clashes last year between police and Tibetan protesters left dozens injured and eight detained. This follows widespread coverage in foreign news media of the protests and community leaders’ petitioning the central government in Beijing, and the area affected has been declared a protected zone.
Oct 23: “Forever Gratitude”
Tibetan Children’s Village school in Dharamsala celebrated its 54th anniversary by paying tribute to His Holiness the Dalai Lama with their theme, “Forever Gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama”, as well as cultural performances and athletics. TCV was set up in 1960 with 51 students and now has 35 schools throughout India and has supported more than 14,000 students during the past 54 years.
Oct 22: Hospital Celebrations
The Tibetan Delek hospital at Gangchen Kyishong celebrated its 43rd anniversary in a ceremony graced by His Eminence the Karmapa Rinpoche. A new doctors’ residence was inaugurated, and following the reports and presentations, the ceremony finished with a cultural performance by the Thangthong Lukar group. The ceremony was also part of the “2014 – Year of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama” celebrations.